Locomotor



July 26, 1932. M. PARRISH ET AL LOCOMOTOR Filed April 4, 1931 2Sheets-Sheet July 26, 1932. 1 M. FARRISH E'r AL K 1,858,948

LOCOMOTOR Filed April 4. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 In/venters Patented July26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlicE LEE M. PARRISH AND` FLOYD G.KELBSCH, OF REDFIELD, SOUTH BAKOTA` LOCOMOTOR Application led April 4,1931.

This invention relates to a locomotor, and it is primarily an object ofthe invention to provide a motor of this kind which is adapted to travelbelow a field of ice.

j Another object of the invention is to provide a motor of this kind forconveying under ice a Stringer or rope for the placing of nets or seinesfor long distances or other uses of like nature.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind ofa buoyant character and which is provided with means for contact frombelow with a. field of ice to facilitate its tra-vel and which is alsoprol vided with means visible through the ice to facilitate the locationof the motor.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of our improvedlocomotor whereby certain important advantages are attained and thedevice rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenientand advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of our invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that our invention may be the better understood, we will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accomso panyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly inelevation illustrating a locomotor constructed in accordance with anembodinient of our invention and in position below a field of ice;

Figure 2 is a view in top plan of the structure as illustrated in Figure1;

Figure 3 is a detailed view partly in section and partly in top planillustrating a form of switch which may beemployed in connection withthe device.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, H denotes a hulk of torpedoshape and the walls of which being preferably made of f sheet iron. Theinterior of the hulk is airtight although access therein may be had uponremoval of the hatches 1 and 2 in the upper wall, the hatch 1 beingsubstantially midship while the hatch 2, as herein dis i@ closed, is atthe stern.

Serial No. 527,828.

Extending from the stern of the hulk H is a shaft 3 carrying aconventional propeller 4, the inner end portion of the shaft 3 beingsuitably coupled, as at 5, withl the drive shaft 6 of an electricalmotor M. Desired access to the motor M and its associated parts may bereadily had upon removal of the hatch 2.

The circuit a for the motor is in electrical connection with thebatteries B placed within the hulk H and which can be readily applied ortaken out upon removal of the hatch 1.

One of the legs of the circuit a has interposed therein a switchmechanism of a conventional type including the stationary contacts 7 anda swinging or rocking Contact 8. As herein disclosed, the stationarycontacts 7 are carried by a table 9 supported above the motor M whilethe rocking or swinging contact 8 is carried by the lower end portion ofa vertically disposed shaft 10. This shaft 10 extends up through the topwall or deck of the hulk H through a suitable packing gland 11. Theupper or extended end portion of the shaft 10 carries a cross arm 12 tothe opposite endrportions of which are secured flexible members 14.These members 1a4 extend rearwardly of the device and are directedthrough a rearwardly disposed `guide tube 15 carried by an outboardframe 16 supported by and disposed rearwardly from the stern of the hulkH. These flexible members 14 are of desired length and provide meanswhereby a person above the field of ice may readily swing lthe Contactmember 8 to open or close the circuit a to the motor M as required andparticularly when the motor is in working position below the ice field.

The frame 16 also provides a mounting for the rudder 17. This rudder maybe of any style or type desired as its particular construction andmanner of operation forms no part of the present invention. It may bestated that it is preferred that the rudder be of a well knownautoma-tic type which will keep the motor traveling in a stra-ightcourse as set by the user.

Disposed above the upper wall or deck of the hulk H and supportedthereby by the delill pending members 18 are the elongated parallelrunners 19 substantially straight from end to end and which extend frompoints adjacent the bow of the hulk to points immediately adjacent tothe stern of the hulk. These runners 19 are also positioned slightlyoutboard of the hulk H along the sides thereof and are positionedentirely above the hulk so that the runners 19 will have unhindered orunobstructed Contact from below with an ice field F.

The top wall or deck of the hulk H in the bow thereof is provided with alamp 2O the illuminating unit 21 of which in the present disclosurebeing interposed within the circuit a for the motor M although this lampmay7 if desired, have a separate circuit. The lamp 20 throws its lightrays or beam upwardly thus providing means visible through the ice fieldto enable a ready location of the motor therebeneath. It is believed tobe obvious that the hulk H possesses suli'icient buoyancy when in use tomaintain the runners 19 in requisite Contact from below with the icefield F, thus assuring the desired travel of the motor to enable theconveying of` a Stringer, rope or the like beneath the ice field andmore particularly for the placing of nets or seines for long distancesin wintertime fishing.

The flexible members 14 are of sufficient length to enable the user tostop or start the locomotor as desired.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that alocomotor constructed in accordance with our invention is particularlywell adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility withwhich it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious thatour invention is susceptible of some change and modification withoutdeparting from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason wedo not wish to be understood as limiting ourselves to the precisearrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carryingout our invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

A locomotor for use under an ice field comprising a buoyant body,propelling means therefor, and means projecting upwardly and laterallybeyond the width of the body for contact from below with the ice fieldfor maintaining the body on an even keel, said means extending fore andaft of the body.

In testimony whereof we hereunto affix our signatures.

LEE M. PARRISH. FLOYD Gr. KELBSCH.

